Business and ????? Double Major

cc411
Mon, 16 Mar 2009 11:32:32 +0000

ycang-
S has a good friend doing the Business Cinematic Arts Joint Program (BCA). I asked him about it and he gave me a nice detailed answer that I hope will help. These are his words, not mine:

(1) As a current BCA student graduating class of 2011, this program has grown from when it was first implemented in around 2003 into an ever increasing, selective (40 student class size), and unique program for USC. It is not a double degree. Double majoring in business and cinema requires an additional 12 units or so and this emphasis only embodies about 24 units. However, even as I type now I understand that USC is constantly revising the requirements of this program as it is still very young and may at present time require more than 24 units. It is only an emphasisc in Cinema; however, you are considered enrolled in both Marshall and SCA. You receive all the emails and benefits a cinema student receives and the amazing support and networking the SCA school provides. In regards to your future occupation, if you want to become a director, majoring in Cinema may be a better choice although the SCA is probably the hardest and most respected school in SC to be accepted into. If you want to become a producer, head executive, studio executive, agent, manager, or any other job you see in the show Entourage, then this program is for you! This program is designed specifically for these jobs and you learn from professionals directly. My past professor is a current manager for Brillstein which is a highly regarded firm with clients such as Jenifer Anniston and Brad Pitt. This program will introduce you to the entertainment business, and during your sophomore year, you will be required to intern at a talent agency and that will be fun if you like to see celebrities! However, I do want to warn you that in the entertainment industry, moreso than any other industry, you pay your dues. Like in Entourage, you start in the mailroom and work for 4 years, at least, before becoming a full fledge agent. After you graduate, do not expect to make more than 30k a yr. However, that is why I love this program- because if you later you do choose to go the business route instead and you have an emphasize in finance or accounting, you have a good backup plan.

(2) As a current BCA member, I can say that when I applied the program was not as selective as it is now. The cap is around 40 students I believe and less than 40 students applied so all were taken. However, I hear now that the program is a little more selective; however, few students even at SC know about this program so you have a very good chance of getting in. All you have to do is apply. The course map is always changing for this program, but you take Intro to Cinema fall and Intro to TV spring semester for freshman year. These are basically introductory courses all cinema majors take and are very fun and interesting. You will have Professor Drew Casper, one of the most respected and eccentric professors at SC, as well as the most paid! With regards to your experience- the most experience I had was watching Entourage and btw, you should love to watch movies and television. This needs to be a passion of yours because eveyrone in this program is in it because they love it. This industry weeds out passion from lust of money. The entertainment industry treats everyone like peons their first couple years paying you enough just to live on- around 30k. So if you are greedy and impatient, this isn’t the business for you. Anyways, in regards to breaking into the entertainment industry, I would say that being in LA, you should have connections or make some. Because this city is all about knowing people. Who do you know and how can they help you. I am sorry if this sounds depressing, but most of the world works like this, especially the entertainment industry! But you know what they say- if you truly love entertainment you will make it in the biz somehow. But a little help from mom or dad or any other connections won’t hurt either.